The plural of computer mouse has puzzled people for decades. Some insist on using mice, while others prefer mouses. Unlike most English plurals, this word sits at the crossroads of language and technology. You might have seen one form in dictionaries, while another shows up in computer manuals. The confusion is real, but the answer depends on both context and convention.
When the device was first introduced in the 1960s, it looked like a small animal with a tail, which inspired its name. Over time, the debate began: should we follow the natural plural of mouse → mice or adapt a new plural specific to the technology? In this article, you’ll see why both exist, when to use each, and 150 real-world examples that show how language adapts with innovation.
Everyday Use
Word
Meaning
Example
Mice
Common plural of mouse
I connected two computer mice.
Mouses
Alternate plural form
The lab used three mouses.
Devices
General gadgets
Many pointing devices were tested.
Tools
Objects for work
Several input tools are on the desk.
Gadgets
Small electronic items
New wireless gadgets arrived today.
Inputs
Sources for commands
Different inputs control the game.
Pointers
Items for navigating
Two screen pointers were broken.
Clickers
Informal for mice
Old clickers stopped working.
Controllers
Objects that guide
The lab had five controllers.
Peripherals
External devices
Shops sell many computer peripherals.
Technical Terms
Word
Meaning
Example
Interfaces
Connection tools
Users tried new interfaces.
Drivers
Software for hardware
Two updated drivers improved speed.
Sensors
Detecting parts
Laser sensors failed in some mice.
Trackers
Movement recorders
Modern trackers detect fine motion.
Modules
Small parts
Many USB modules supported mice.
Adapters
Connector tools
Wireless adapters paired with mouses.
Plugins
Add-on tools
Extra plugins help mouse use.
Commands
User inputs
Several mouse commands were tested.
Programs
Software sets
New programs support different mice.
Systems
Large setups
Two gaming systems need mice.
Academic
Word
Meaning
Example
Studies
Research works
Many studies mention computer mice.
Papers
Academic documents
Research papers used the term mouses.
Reports
Formal writings
Technical reports say both are correct.
Analyses
Detailed studies
Linguistic analyses explored plural forms.
Findings
Results of study
The findings show dual usage.
Debates
Discussions
Grammar debates compared mice vs. mouses.
Theories
Explanations
Some theories prefer mice.
Surveys
Data collections
Online surveys asked about mouses.
Essays
Short writings
Student essays used both plurals.
Journals
Academic sources
Language journals discuss plural choices.
Business
Word
Meaning
Example
Contracts
Official agreements
Supplier contracts list computer mouses.
Orders
Purchase requests
Customer orders included wireless mice.
Invoices
Bills for sales
The shop issued five invoices.
Clients
Buyers or users
Our clients ordered ten mice.
Products
Items for sale
New products feature gaming mouses.
Markets
Areas of trade
Tech markets demand quality mice.
Sales
Goods sold
Holiday sales included computer mice.
Brands
Company names
Many brands produce mouses.
Packages
Bundled items
Bulk packages had six mice.
Stocks
Stored goods
The stocks had many mouses.
Technology
Word
Meaning
Example
Devices
Machines for work
Two pointing devices were missing.
Sensors
Parts that detect
Infrared sensors guide mice.
Buttons
Click features
Gaming mice had more buttons.
Scrolls
Wheel functions
The scrolls wore out quickly.
Wires
Cables for power
USB wires connect mouses.
Batteries
Power units
Wireless mice need charged batteries.
Ports
Entry slots
USB ports supported mouses.
Signals
Data transmissions
Wireless signals dropped often.
Networks
Linked systems
Office networks shared mice.
Links
Connections
Bluetooth links synced mouses.
Historical
Word
Meaning
Example
Origins
Beginning points
The origins of the mouse date to 1964.
Inventions
Created items
Early inventions included wooden mice.
Patents
Legal rights
Douglas Engelbart’s patents protected mice.
Designs
Visual plans
The first designs showed corded mouses.
Prototypes
Early models
Lab prototypes had two wheels.
Versions
Released types
Different versions of mouses appeared.
Manuals
Instruction books
Old manuals said computer mice.
Records
Historical notes
Tech records show “mouses” used.
Timelines
Historical lists
Innovation timelines mention mice.
Archives
Collections
Digital archives include old mice ads.
Language
Word
Meaning
Example
Words
Units of language
English words have tricky plurals.
Nouns
Name words
Irregular nouns confuse learners.
Plurals
More than one form
Some plurals differ in tech.
Irregulars
Non-standard forms
Mouse is among irregulars.
Synonyms
Similar words
“Pointers” are synonyms for mice.
Terms
Specific phrases
Tech terms prefer mouses.
Phrases
Groups of words
New phrases use “mice.”
Definitions
Word meanings
Dictionaries give two definitions.
Rules
Grammar principles
Grammar rules are inconsistent.
Usages
Practical forms
Different usages exist for mouses.
Education
Word
Meaning
Example
Lessons
Teaching sessions
Language lessons explain mice.
Teachers
Instructors
Teachers discuss plural forms.
Students
Learners
Students often ask about mouses.
Classes
Learning groups
In grammar classes, mice appear.
Exams
Formal tests
English exams ask plural rules.
Questions
Test prompts
Grammar questions use mice.
Answers
Solutions
Correct answers list mouses too.
Exercises
Practice work
Homework exercises include plurals.
Notes
Written points
Study notes explain mouses.
Tests
Knowledge checks
Grammar tests compare usage.
Gaming
Word
Meaning
Example
Gamers
Video players
Professional gamers need fast mice.
Consoles
Game systems
Many consoles support USB mouses.
Controllers
Gaming tools
Wired controllers were replaced by mice.
Weapons
Game tools
On-screen weapons need precise mouses.
Skills
Abilities
Fast skills depend on mice.
Levels
Stages in games
Higher levels require new mice.
Scores
Game points
Top scores came with good mice.
Challenges
Difficult tasks
Gaming challenges need responsive mouses.
Modes
Play types
Multiplayer modes used many mice.
Wins
Victories
Team wins were thanks to fast mice.
Science
Word
Meaning
Example
Labs
Scientific rooms
Tech labs tested multiple mouses.
Experiments
Tests
Computer experiments compared mice.
Trials
Testing phases
Early trials used mice.
Results
Outcomes
Positive results showed both forms.
Data
Collected facts
Linguistic data shows dual plurals.
Theories
Explanations
Grammar theories argue mice vs. mouses.
Fields
Study areas
Different fields use each form.
Disciplines
Branches of knowledge
Language disciplines teach plural rules.
Observations
Noted facts
Careful observations tracked usage.
Conclusions
Final findings
The conclusions accept both plurals.
Writing
Word
Meaning
Example
Sentences
Full statements
Sample sentences use mice.
Paragraphs
Writing sections
Grammar paragraphs list mouses.
Articles
Written works
Blog articles mention mice.
Stories
Narratives
Tech stories say mouses.
Chapters
Book sections
Some chapters explain plurals.
Books
Published works
Language books teach mice.
Quotes
Exact sayings
Old quotes use both.
Blogs
Online posts
Tech blogs favor mouses.
Guides
Instruction texts
User guides list mice.
Notes
Short reminders
Grammar notes explain plurals.
Marketing
Word
Meaning
Example
Ads
Promotions
Online ads show wireless mice.
Posters
Printed displays
Old posters featured mouses.
Flyers
Handouts
Store flyers listed mice.
Campaigns
Advertising plans
New campaigns use mouses.
Slogans
Catchy lines
Company slogans say “best mice.”
Offers
Discounts
Holiday offers included mouses.
Banners
Large ads
Website banners promote mice.
Promos
Promotions
Seasonal promos give free mice.
Deals
Bargains
Tech deals had mouses.
Discounts
Price cuts
Holiday discounts featured mice.
Culture
Word
Meaning
Example
Films
Movies
Some films show old mice.
Shows
TV programs
Tech shows discuss mouses.
Songs
Music pieces
Funny songs mention mice.
Cartoons
Animated works
Old cartoons drew computer mice.
Novels
Fiction books
Sci-fi novels use mouses.
Comics
Illustrated stories
New comics feature mice.
Events
Gatherings
Tech events gave mouses.
Exhibits
Public displays
Museum exhibits show early mice.
Festivals
Celebrations
Tech festivals highlight mice.
Trends
Popular styles
Online trends discuss mouses.
Internet
Word
Meaning
Example
Websites
Online pages
Tech websites debate mice.
Blogs
Online journals
Grammar blogs explain mouses.
Forums
Discussion sites
Online forums ask for plural forms.
Posts
Shared content
Many posts use mice.
Comments
User replies
Reader comments say mouses.
Tweets
Short messages
Old tweets argued about mice.
Memes
Viral jokes
Funny memes show mouses.
Hashtags
Social tags
Popular hashtags include mice.
Links
Web addresses
Shared links show plural rules.
Pages
Website parts
Grammar pages compare usage.
Work
Word
Meaning
Example
Offices
Workplaces
Modern offices buy wireless mice.
Desks
Work tables
New desks had mouses.
Teams
Work groups
Software teams needed mice.
Projects
Work plans
IT projects used mouses.
Tasks
Job duties
Many tasks need mice.
Files
Documents
Shared files mention mouses.
Jobs
Employment roles
Office jobs require mice.
Roles
Responsibilities
Staff roles involve mouses.
Colleagues
Workmates
My colleagues bought new mice.
Managers
Supervisors
Project managers approved mouses.
Communication
Word
Meaning
Example
Emails
Online letters
Work emails mentioned mice.
Messages
Notes
Chat messages use mouses.
Calls
Phone talks
Support calls fix mice.
Talks
Conversations
Office talks debated mouses.
Speeches
Formal talks
Teacher speeches used mice.
Notes
Quick reminders
Meeting notes list mouses.
Letters
Written mails
Formal letters mention mice.
Replies
Responses
Student replies said mouses.
Texts
Short messages
Phone texts include mice.
Chats
Informal talks
Online chats used both plurals.
Conclusion
The plural of computer mouse is both mice and mouses, and each form has its place. If you’re writing casually or talking with friends, mice will sound natural. If you’re preparing a technical document or business report, mouses may be clearer. With 150 examples across speech, manuals, and academic sources, it’s clear that both live side by side in English today.
Language evolves, and technology drives much of that change. The important lesson is not to worry about being “wrong.” Instead, choose the form that best fits your audience and purpose. After all, clarity and connection matter more than following an absolute rule.